A 9-year-old Filipino karateka emerged victorious in his first international tournament, bagging a gold medal at the 3rd Asian Karate Youth Open Championship and Training Camp held in Hangzhou, China, from July 22 to 26, 2026.
Romeo Viktor Enriquez of Fight Alliance Sports Team (FAST) – ISKF, coached by national team coach and former Karate Pilipinas national team captain Engene Dagohoy, dominated the Under-10 Male Kumite (+40 kg) category to clinch the gold medal.
Enriquez also finished in the Top 5 of the Under-10 Male Kata.
“We are proud to share that our young Filipinos have represented our country well in this Asian tournament,” said Dagohoy, a SEA Games medalist.
In addition, 13-year-old Raphael Mariano Herrera continued his strong international run by capturing the bronze medal in the Under-14 Male Kata, marking his second consecutive bronze medal in the Asian championship.
Ten-year-old Ripley Borromeo also turned in a strong performance, finishing in the Top 5 of the Under-12 Female Kata and the Top 7 in the same event. Completing the FAST ISKF delegation were Ellis Canoza (age 11) and Colin Paolo (age 10).
The teams were backed by major supporters Hello Money, Toby’s Sports, Homeschool Global Philippines, TLC, Trainstation, Inc., Namayan Digital, Inc., Edgardo Canoza Jr., the Office of Senator Chiz Escudero, Socorro Castros, Moona Ko, Peter Tanchi Jr., Kenno Yao, Claudette Santiago, Sheena Jane Lim, Margaux Lim, and Janel Kalaw.
Meanwhile, 11-year-old Wifredo Apelledo of AAKR Karatedo successfully defended his title by winning back-to-back gold medals in the Under-12 Male Kata and also claimed the silver medal in the Under-12 Male Kumite (-45 kg). Joining the AAKR delegation was Ysabella Arwen Varias.
The teams also acknowledged the support of their partners: Lightwater, the Office of Senator Bam Aquino, Joyce Santiago, Sari Lazaro-Tiu, Riva Galveztan, and Rubee J. Alcantara.
FAST – ISKF has been one of the brightest karatedo teams in the country the past few years, with its athletes winning international and national tournaments,
